Workplace Safety and Insurance
Appeals Tribunal

Established in 1985, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT) is the final level of appeal to which workers and employers may bring disputes concerning
workplace safety and insurance matters in Ontario. WSIAT has always been separate from and independent of the
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.

Highlights of Noteworthy Decisions

Decision 1545 14

8/21/2014

M. Crystal

Suitable employment

Health care (medical aid) (drug formulary)

A hotel room attendant suffered chest wall injury when she slipped and fell. The worker appealed a decision of the Appeals Resolution Officer denying LOE benefits from March 4 to 10, 2012, and denying entitlement for the drug Vimovo.The employer offered suitable modified work. The worker was not entitled to LOE benefits during the period in question.Vimovo is a drug that combines an anti-inflammatory medication and a medication that provides gastro-intestinal protection. It is not on the Board's drug formulary. Generally, where corresponding generic drugs are on the formulary, the generic drugs should be deemed to meet the test of being necessary, sufficient and appropriate, and more expensive non-generic drugs will not meet that test. In this case, there was no persuasive evidence that the worker tried the separate generic versions of the two drugs that are combined in Vimovo. The worker was not entitled to reimbursement for Vimovo.The appeal was dismissed.